Integrative analysis of Ewing's sarcoma reveals that the MIF-CD74 axis is a target for immunotherapy.
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BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma (EwS), a common pediatric bone cancer, is associated with poor survival due to a lack of therapeutic targets for immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Therefore, more effective treatment options are urgently needed. METHODS: Since novel immunotherapies may address this need, we performed an integrative analysis involving single-cell RNA sequencing, cell function experiments, and humanized models to dissect the immunoregulatory interactions in EwS and identify strategies for optimizing immunotherapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: EwS is infiltrated by immunosuppressive myeloid populations, T and B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. We found that SLC40A1 and C1QA macrophages were associated with a poor prognosis, whereas CD8+ T-cell infiltration was associated with a good prognosis. A comparative analysis of paired samples revealed that in tumors with a good chemotherapeutic response, macrophages presented increased antigen presentation and reduced release of protumor cytokines, whereas CD8+ T cells presented increased cytotoxicity and reduced exhaustion. An interaction analysis revealed a vast immunoregulatory network and identified MIF-CD74 as a crucial immunoregulatory target that can simultaneously promote M2 polarization of macrophages and inhibit CD8+ T-cell infiltration. Importantly, MIF blockade effectively reshaped the tumor immune microenvironment, turning cold tumors hot and inhibiting tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our integrative analysis revealed that the MIF/CD74 axis is a promising target for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma and provides a rationale for this novel immunotherapy.